Not every NBA star can be clutch, because that means a player needs to make the critical shots when it matters most. We have collected a list of the 30 most clutch NBA players of all time based on criteria of a minimum of 20 field-goal attempts with a minute or left in a game. While we expect to see superstars such as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant appear at the top, the stats reveal otherwise.
Criteria: 1 minute left in the 4th quarter or OT, shot to tie or take lead, minimum 20 FGA in a career in those situations
1. Kyrie Irving – 51.9%, 14-27 FG-FGA
2. Shaquille O’Neal – 50.0%, 10-20 FG-FGA
3. Dirk Nowitzki – 49.0%, 25-51 FG-FGA
4. LeBron James – 45.2%, 56-124 FG-FGA
5. Reggie Miller – 45.2%, 14-31 FG-FGA
6. Ray Allen – 42.9%, 18-42 FG-FGA
7. Tony Parker – 42.2%, 19-45 FG-FGA
8. Tracy McGrady – 40.9%, 9-22 FG-FGA
9. John Stockton – 39.1%, 9-23 FG-FGA
10. Allen Iverson – 38.7%, 12-31 FG-FGA
11. Jimmy Butler – 38.2%, 13-34 FG-FGA
12. Jayson Tatum – 37.9%, 11-29 FG-FGA
13. Dwyane Wade – 37.5%, 18-48 FG-FGA
14. Gary Payton – 37.5%, 9-24 FG-FGA
15. Paul Pierce – 37.3%, 19-51 FG-FGA
16. Chris Paul – 37.2%, 16-43 FG-FGA
17. Steve Nash – 34.3%, 12-35 FG-FGA
18. James Harden – 33.9%, 19-56 FG-FGA
19. Carmelo Anthony – 33.3%, 12-36 FG-FGA
20. Kawhi Leonard – 33.3%, 10-30 FG-FGA
21. Andre Iguodala – 33.3%, 7-21 FG-FGA (I want Iguodala!)
22. Damian Lillard – 32.4%, 11-34 FG-FGA
23. Paul George – 32.1%, 9-28 FG-FGA
24. Tim Duncan – 32.1%, 17-53 FG-FGA
25. Kobe Bryant – 31.3%, 30-96 FG-FGA
26. Klay Thompson – 30.0%, 6-20 FG-FGA
27. Michael Jordan – 29.0%, 9-31 FG-FGA
28. Kevin Durant – 27.1%, 19-70 FG-FGA
29. Russell Westbrook – 26.4%, 14-53 FG-FGA
30. Stephen Curry – 25.4%, 16-63 FG-FGA
The term “clutch” is often used to describe players who step up and deliver when the pressure is at its highest. Leading the pack is Kyrie Irving with an impressive 51.9% success rate, having made 14 out of 27 shots in these crucial moments. His most iconic moment came in the 2016 NBA Finals when he made a game-winning three-pointer over Stephen Curry to complete an iconic 3-1 comeback.
Shaquille O’Neal is the surprising second on the list with a 50.0% success rate, making 10 out of 20 shots. Now, here’s where it gets interesting: LeBron James, often criticized for his clutch performances, is ranked 4th, hitting 56 of 124 shots, translating to a 45.2% success rate. This dispels the myth that he isn’t one of the best clutch players in NBA history.
With a 45.2% success rate, Reggie Miller’s clutch gene is legendary. Known for his trash talk and competitive spirit, Miller was never one to shy away from the spotlight. His iconic performances, like the 8 points in 8.9 seconds against the Knicks, showcase his knack for hitting big shots when it matters most. Ray Allen is another player with a reputation for making big shots. His game-tying three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals is one of the most memorable shots in NBA history, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure.
Dwyane Wade, with a 37.5% success rate, has a history of clutch performances, particularly in the playoffs and especially in the 2006 Finals when he won Finals MVP through countless clutch plays. Interestingly, analyst Max Kellerman once controversially stated that he would take Andre Iguodala ahead of Stephen Curry in clutch moments. While this may seem surprising, the stats reflect that Iguodala has a 33.3% success rate in clutch situations, compared to Curry’s 25.4%.
On the other hand, clutch icons such as Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson are surprisingly at the bottom of the list, despite being arguably three of the 10 greatest shooters ever. Lillard’s 32.4%, Durant’s 27.1%, and Thompson’s 30.0% success rates in clutch situations challenge the notion that great shooters are always the most clutch when the game is on the line.
Taking a closer look at the data for Michael Jordan, it’s worth noting that his stats are only from the 1997 and 1998 playoffs. While he has a 29.0% success rate, making 9 out of 31 shots, what stands out are the game-winning shots he made in Game 2 in 1997 and Game 6 in 1998, proving his ability to come through in the most crucial moments.
Kobe Bryant also ranks quite low despite being one of the most clutch players ever. It’s also important to remember that players like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan often faced double or even triple teams, making their shots even more challenging to execute. Despite this, they still managed to maintain respectable clutch shooting percentages.
Among the 30 NBA stars listed, Stephen Curry has the lowest success rate, making just 16 out of 63 shots, giving him a 25.4% success rate in clutch situations. Regardless, it is almost certain that coach Steve Kerr will trust his best shooter to release shots in critical moments.
Source: StatHead
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
